Newsletter: Healthy Aging

CJE News Winter 2010

Building Bridges Among Jews: Rabbi Capers C. Funnye

Celebrate CJE: Wednesday, October 13, 2010

CJE News

Scams and Schemes:

Beware What’s Too Good to Be True

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early eight out of ten consumers plan to utilize the Internet as a tool to help with shopping over the holiday season, according to Forbes.com. As millions of Americans turn to online sites for their gift-giving needs, Internet scammers lurk around every offer of huge savings waiting to pounce on their next unsuspecting victim.

“For this reason, many older adults are hesitant to use computers or the Internet,” says Liz Burnside, Coordinator of CJE SeniorLife’s Crime Victim Assistance Program.

“Unfortunately, the traditional mail and phone scams are still just as widespread as online fraud.”

One of the most common Internet scams is “phishing,” which involves fraudsters who send spam or “pop-up” messages to lure people into divulging personal information (credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, or other sensitive information).

Most often, phishers claim to be from a reputable business or organization that most people deal with regularly, i.e., a bank, Internet provider, online payment service, or even a government agency. The messages direct the person to a website that looks exactly like a legitimate organization’s site, but it isn’t.

With the current economic downturn and high rates of unemployment, work-at-home scams and advance-fee fraud, in which the target is persuaded to advance sums of money in the hope of realizing a significantly larger gain, are also becoming more prevalent.

Being a victim of identity theft or any other scam can be financially and emotionally draining for anyone, especially an older adult.

“In many cases, people feel embarrassed, like they should have known better. There is a loss of trust,” says Burnside.

“What compounds the situation is that so many individuals are hesitant to ask for help.”

Agencies like CJE can provide assistance, explains Burnside, whether you have been victimized and need to repair your credit or simply want to become better educated on what to look for to avoid scams.

Burnside has worked with clients to file consumer fraud reports with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, write letters to insurance companies to say ‘take me off this list,’ flag their credit reports, and contact banks to check for any unusual charges. Other times, a client is just in need of a second set of eyes to go over the fine print in a letter or document. She also recommends computer courses offered through CJE’s Consumer Assistance for seniors wanting to learn more about the Internet.

If you or a family member has been a victim of fraud or a scam, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

“Asking for help is a sign of strength,” Burnside says. “It’s important to fix it and move forward.”

For more information on CJE’s Crime Victim Assistance Program, call 773.508.1000.

These tips can help you avoid e-mail spam scams:

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• Protect your personal information. Share credit card or other personal information only when you’re buying from a company you know and trust.

• Know who you’re dealing with. Don’t do business with any company that won’t provide its name, street, address, and telephone number.

• Take your time. Resist any urge to “act now” despite the offer and the terms.

• Read the small print. Get all promises in writing and review them carefully before you make a payment.

• Never pay for a “free” gift. Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize.

From Employee Resource Systems, Inc. Newsletter www.ers-eap.com

CJE News

Culture Bus: Inside and Out Engaging the Alzheimer’s Patient T

he idea of maintaining an active and rewarding social life can present a significant challenge for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease, but there is a program that can help – CJE SeniorLife’s Culture Bus: Inside and Out. With a variety of culturally rich outings, such as visits to the Butterfly Haven at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum or the Chopping Block Cooking School, CJE’s Culture Bus program provides a social outlet for a number of Chicago-area seniors with early- to mid-stage Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, allowing them to meet and interact with other people facing similar struggles.

One of only three programs in the country of its kind, Culture Bus combines day trips to cultural sites around the city with art, drama and music activities held on the campus of Northwestern University.

Working with Northwestern’s Cognitive Neurological and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Culture Bus offers a uniquely interactive experience, whether it’s taking in a Chicago River architectural boat tour or creating hand-made pottery.

“We’re always looking for programs that combine mental, physical and emotional activity,” says Judy Holstein, Director of Adult Day Services

at CJE. “Providing our participants with a stimulating and multisensory experience is key.”

Over the seven years that the program has been running, participants have visited sites as varied as the Shedd Aquarium, the Harley Davidson Museum in DeKalb and the Jelly Belly jelly bean factory in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. And while there is always a plan for the day, the experience is what matters most; the beauty of Culture Bus lies in the unexpected. Holstein explains, “When we visited the Volo Antique Car Museum, we ate lunch at a ‘50s-style diner, where they were playing classic jukebox music. One of our clients got up and started dancing. It was fantastic. We really see people at their best.”

After each week’s session, clients’ spouses or other family members learn what the participant saw and did, so that they can have a discussion with their loved one, helping them to carry the experience beyond the memory of that specific day.

For the caregivers of participants, Culture Bus offers a much needed day of respite.

“During the average day, a caregiver’s mind is never really free,” Holstein explains. “But

during the time their loved one is learning, socializing and enjoying a day of stimulating activities, caregivers have a solid six hours to do whatever they want, or need, to do.”

While the first nine weeks are focused on helping people with Alzheimer’s gain a meaningful and independent experience, caregivers join them for the last day of each season. Not only does this let caregivers see what their loved ones have been doing for the previous nine weeks, it gives them a glimpse of the new friendships that have been built and provides them with new ways to engage their loved ones at home. “Clients don’t necessarily remember the specifics of these events,” Holstein concludes, “but they carry the effects with them.”

Call CJE SeniorLife at 773.508.1000 for more information about Culture Bus programs in Barrington, downtown Chicago and Deerfield.

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Just Another

Jewish Face

Rabbi Capers C. Funnye Rabbi Capers C. Funnye is well aware that in the United States an African-American rabbi is more

of an anomaly than a Catholic priest from China. As the first African-American rabbi to sit on an all-white rabbinical board, the Chicago Board of Rabbis, and one of only 27 black rabbis in the entire country, Funnye (pronounced fu-NAY), has probably heard, “Funny, you don’t look Jewish!” a thousand times. Doubtless, he will hear it many, many more times in his life. Sometimes the comment is delivered with humor, other times with dismay and even anger, but if the 58-year-old Funnye feels any impatience or frustration about having to repeatedly address the same issue, it doesn’t come across in his kindly scholar’s demeanor. “Wherever Judaism is found in the world, Jews look like the people from that part of the world.” He smiles, “I happen to be a Jew from the South Side of Chicago.”

Today, he is the spiritual leader of Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation, which has been in existence in one form or another for 90 years. As Funnye puts it, “We’re a Conservative synagogue peppered with some Modern Orthodox tendencies,” referring to the Orthodox siddur they follow and the division of men and women in the sanctuary (men sit on one side of the aisle, women on the other). His openness to change has been evident throughout his 25 years at Beth Shalom, one example being the role of women.

“All four of my children attended Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School in Hyde Park. My daughter wanted a Bat Mitzvah. She didn’t understand why the boys in our synagogue had this opportunity and she didn’t. ‘Why did you send me to Hebrew school and have me study these things?’ I didn’t have an answer for her that I felt comfortable with. Back then we weren’t calling girls to the Torah; it wasn’t part of the tradition. I had always considered myself an egalitarian, but this experience was transformative for me. We moved on from introducing Bat Mitzvahs to making services totally accessible. Women are afforded every right and privilege, as gabbai, and as Torah readers.

During the months in which there is a fifth Shabbat, the women of our congregation are in charge of the entire service and the Kiddush and Shabbat lunch are run by the men. Seeing how immensely devoted the

women were to Torah study, the siddur and representing the congregation before God, it had a powerful effect on me.

Like many of his 250 congregants, Funnye converted to Judaism. His spiritual journey began with a Methodist upbringing, a growing dissatisfaction with which lead him to explore other religions in college, including Islam, before finally bringing him to rabbinical Judaism. To him, his conversion felt like coming home. His life’s work could be described as making such a homecoming possible for others.

Dedicated as he is to fostering a dialogue between mainstream, Ashkenazi Jews and racially and ethnically diverse Jews, both in Chicago and the rest of the country, Funnye regularly speaks at synagogues and secular events (even more so since the world

Associate Director, Funnye helps communities with ancient ties to biblical Judaism, like the Igbo in Nigeria, the Lemba in South Africa and the Abayudaya in Uganda, reconnect to and fully embrace modern day rabbinic Judaism. Rabbi Funnye spends much of his time in Nigeria, where Beth Shalom has a sister synagogue. Part of his work there involves research, conducting interviews and recording histories, rituals and collecting relevant data. “On our first trip to Nigeria, my wife and I met a priest king, an obi, or seer. He lifted a horn, a shofar, and blew two notes...and not just any two notes, but the two notes that are blown to signify the start of Rosh Chodesh. Later, I asked the king where he learned those notes and he told me they had been taught to him by the obi before him and so on, for generations. There

“ I happen to be a Jew from the South Side of Chicago. x”

recently learned he is Michelle Obama’s cousin). His tireless work for Be’chol Lashon (In Every Tongue), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow and strengthen the Jewish people through ethnic, cultural, and racial inclusiveness, sends him around the world, particularly Africa. As Be’chol Lashon’s

was no written history of it, just a chain of unbroken tradition. My wife and I looked at each other and just smiled.”

Funnye advocates “real tolerance, real respect” among Jews of different ethnic groups.

“Remember, Avraham didn’t speak a word of Yiddish, he had never heard klezmer music.”

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CJE News

The Mitzvah of Volunteering Students, Corporations Doing Their Part

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n any given day, CJE SeniorLife volunteers can be spotted delivering Kosher meals to community members, teaching computer classes to older adults, engaging residents in conversation on current events, or bringing their pet therapy dogs for a friendly visit.

More than 5,000 volunteers play an integral role in providing these vital services to CJE residents and clients.

As CJE’s volunteer base has grown, the face of the volunteer has changed in recent years, explains Anne Schuman, CJE’s Director of Volunteer Services.

Synagogue groups, including North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Beth Shalom of Northbrook, and Beth Hillel Congregation B’nai Emunah in Wilmette (all of whom have served CJE for more than 30

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years) continue to volunteer in large numbers and sponsor the weekly Shabbat Luncheons, but CJE is seeing many younger volunteers, including high school and college students.

“We are on the short list for kids from area colleges from Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin,” says Schuman.

In addition, anywhere from 25 to 50 students at a time from Camp TOV, New Trier High School, Chicagoland Jewish High School, Keshet and the Lubavitch Group, volunteer regularly at Lieberman Center in Skokie, Weinberg Community in Deerfield or at other CJE locations.

“For kids, it’s a way to bond and build a friendship with an older person, especially if their grandparents live far away or have passed away,” adds

Schuman. “The residents love seeing them. It can be a really powerful experience.”

Corporations represent another growing segment of CJE’s volunteer corps. Eager to give back to the community, companies utilize volunteering as a means of team-building.

One such relationship, between CJE and Northfield-based Kraft Foods, began in 2006 as part of an annual “Kraft Cares” community service project.

Nearly 50 volunteers spent the day with Lieberman residents.

This year, on several occasions, Kraft employees visited Lieberman, Weinberg and Adult Day Services in Evanston.

“For corporations, the beauty of it is that we can create an entire day full of meaningful interaction,” says Schuman.

“For our clients, it’s a full day of activities, individual attention, and new people to socialize with.”

Whether you are a student looking for a summer mitzvah project or a corporation interested in developing a philanthropic event, CJE is always looking for new volunteers to lend a helping hand. For information about volunteer opportunities, call 773.508.1064 or visit www.cje.net.

CJE News

Life Issues:

Discussing End-of-life Options

Q:

Our mother has advanced heart and liver disease. She’s considering hospice care, but I don’t want her to give up on life.

A: Hospice care is for people

who are nearing the end of their lives and is designed to relieve or decrease pain, or other symptoms, and provide as much quality time as possible with family and friends.

Unlike other medical care, the focus of hospice care is no longer on curing or treating the underlying disease. The goal of hospice is to provide the highest quality of life for whatever time remains.

Although never an easy topic for discussion, when faced with terminal illness, difficult decisions about end-of-life treatment and care must be made. Often, family or friends closest to the patient must make tough choices. End-of-life decisions are stressful; hospice provides counseling and other types of care to help manage grief and other major issues regarding treatment and critical financial issues. Hospice care should be embraced as a way to ease the transition from life to death for both the loved one, friends and family. Cultural issues sometimes preclude hospice care, so discuss your situation with your religious or spiritual advisor.

Hospice care is one of the most misunderstood and

underutilized health services, partially due to the fact that it’s only existed formally in the United States for several decades. Myths about hospice abound, including the widelyheld misperceptions that hospice is expensive, takes place only in the individual’s home, prohibits lifesaving medical treatment and is only for the final days before death.

In fact, hospice care is often not started soon enough.

Patients, family members or physicians sometimes resist discussing hospice and other end-of-life issues because of the implication that no hope remains. Hospice professionals stress that the longer someone is in hospice care, the better his or her chance of a peaceful experience. Waiting until the very end and then rushing into hospice at the last minute can be

traumatic for you or your loved ones, and does not allow time for symptoms, especially pain, to be properly managed.

Hospice is available for people with any terminal illness, such as heart disease, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or any other condition and can include incontinence products, medication setup, physical care, pain management and durable medical equipment. In general, Medicare—which pays for most hospice care—usually reserves hospice for those who’ve been evaluated by a doctor and have six months or less to live. Most private insurers also follow this guideline.

For more information about hospice care and its benefits, contact CJE SeniorLife at 773.508.1000.

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3003 West Touhy Avenue Chicago, IL 60645 773.508.1000 www.cje.net cjenews@cje.net CJE SeniorLife is a partner in serving our community, supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation.

CJE News

Brain Games

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our brain changes as you age. Research suggests that cognitive stimulation is one element in helping to delay or prevent debilitating diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Participating in new and challenging activities can help you improve and maintain cognitive function as your brain ages.

Below are five different areas of the brain that can be improved by playing games.

Critical Thinking Build critical thinking skills by playing games like brainteasers, kakuro, and chess.

Memory Misplace your keys again? Build your memory by challenging your recall skills with trivia games or memory cards.

Visual Perception Feel like there are more blind spots when you are driving? Build your visual perception and spatial skills by working on picture puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and mazes.

Word Skills Just can’t find the right word? Read more, learn new words or challenge yourself by doing a daily crossword puzzle.

Coordination Hard to concentrate or maintain balance? Dropping things more often? Try 3-D puzzles and construction games that help develop hand-eye coordination. The more you play, the more you will strengthen your brain-body connection and accelerate your overall coordination.

In the Chicago area, visit Marbles, The Brain Store. A first-of-its-kind retail store, Marbles focuses on products designed to stimulate and strengthen the brain and offers over 200 products ranging from books and travel games to family board games and computer programs that challenge different parts of your brain.